The Hearing to discuss this kaupapa is scheduled for February 2012.
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Local authorities are required to keep and maintain records about iwi authorities and groups that represent hapū within their region or district for the purposes of the Resource Management Act (section 35A). 

As a starting point, Te Puni Kōkiri has developed a national web-based database Te Kahui Mangai.

Te Kāhui Māngai provides information on the iwi authorities within each region and district and the areas over which one or more iwi exercise kaitiakitanga.

Kaitiakitanga, as defined by the RMA Act 1991 means the exercise of guardianship by the tangata whenua of an area in accordance with tikanga Maori in relation to natural and physical resources; and includes an ethic of stewardship.  In recent local history, human activity has resulted in severe environmental and ecological changes in the area.  Resource depletion, water quality degradation and changes in environmental conditions have impacted negatively on the ability for Te Aitanga a Mahaki to exercise its role of kaitiaki.   

An example of this in action is a programme to ensure that the tuna/eel resource is managed sustainably and remains a taonga for our mokopuna.  We hope to continue the recording and utilising of Maori knowledge alongside scientific information to improve the understanding of cultural values and improved sustainable management of customary eel fisheries.

1      Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust

Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust represents Te Aitanga a Mahaki as an "iwi authority" for the purposes of the Resource Management Act 1991 and as the "mandated iwi organisation" under the Maori Fisheries Act 2004.  The Trust was incorporated in 1995 to "advance and promote Te Aitanga a Mahaki as an Iwi" and represents its 12 marae spread throughout the largest catchment in the Gisborne region the 2200 square kilometre Waipaoa.

The Trust has established an Environmental Management Unit to:

1.      provide information and advice on environmental kaitiakitanga issues

2.      promote the Environmental Management Plan

3.      promote environmental education

4.      actively develop environmental plans and policies consistent with Te Aitanga a Mahaki tikanga.

2       The Gisborne District Council (GDC)The Gisborne region is administered by the GDC, a unitary authority, and its mission is "to manage and enhance the districts physical, social, cultural and economic wellbeing efficiently, effectively and equitably" and its role is defined in the Local Government Act 2002.

It is responsible for the integrated management of natural and physical resources of their region and for controlling the impacts of land use within their district, including the preparation of district plans, and the determination of applications for land use and subdivision consent.  Environmental management is detailed in the Proposed Gisborne District Combined Regional Land and District Plan (CRLDP) and other environmental plans.

2.1      LTCCP Consultation

Section 93 (6) of the LGA 2002 describes the purpose of a LTCCP.  Importantly, it provides for e) a basis for accountability to the community;' and 'an opportunity for participation by the public in decision-making processes on activities to be undertaken by Council.'

The 2004-2014 LTCCP includes six community outcomes desired by the Gisborne and East Coast communities. 

Of the six outcomes, the following points are of particular relevance to this submission:

1.         Vibrant Communities

1.1.      Our heritage and uniqueness is celebrated through the arts, culture and spirituality.

2.         Connected Communities

2.1.      People feel connected and part of communities, locally, nationally and globally.

2.2.      People have a link to their heritage.

3.         Prosperous Communities

3.1.      Communities are proud of their environment and willing and able to care for it for future generations.

4.         Safe and Healthy Haven

4.1.      Guardianship of our environment for future generations.

5.         Positive Leadership

5.1.      Positive stewardship and improvements in infrastructure promoting environmental sustainability.

5.2.      Individuals are responsible for their environment.

6.         Fair and Active Democracy

6.1.      People are inspired to actively participate in community affairs.

We note that:

The GDC recognises its obligation under the Local Government Act 2002, Section 40 1(i) policies for liaising with Maori and any memoranda or agreements with Maori (and specifics on how the local authority intends to discharge its obligations to Maori under sections 14, 81and 82)

and that

under its 2004 - 2007 Governance Statement; Partnerships with Maori, the GDC is committed to developing and maintaining positive working relationships with Tangata Whenua.

2       RecommendationsThe Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust recommends that the Gisborne District Council formalises:

1.      our role as Kaitiaki of our rohe (Section 7(a), RMA 1991)

2.      the Te Aitanga a Mahaki Environmental Management Plan

Thank you for the opportunity to make a written submission on the LTCCP and we request an opportunity to present this submission in person.

Submission to the Gisborne District Council on the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP)

Gisborne Herald: 10 June 2006

The council spent almost nine hours listening to 24 submitters put their case for a wide variety of issues as part of the long-term council community plan (LTCCP). 

It was so busy listening to the submitters that it had no time left to make any decisions on them.

Others putting their case on Thursday were the Gisborne Museum of Art and History Trust, the Tairawhiti branch of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Tourism Eastland, the Friends of the Olympic Pool and forestry interests Ernslaw One and the Eastland Wood Council.

Pene Brown appeared for Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa, saying that the LTCCP should be an opportunity for a real partnership with Maori based on the Treaty of Waitangi, while Ian Ruru asked the council to formalise Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust's environmental management plan. 

Overall Objective:

To ratify an Environmental Inventory that provides a framework that will allow Te Aitanga a Mahaki iwi along with local and central governments to evaluate and enhance local rivers and waterways whilst educating and empowering its people.

Specific Objectives:

o To identify links between Te Aitanga a Mahaki and its rohe.

o To map wahi tapu and other significant traditional areas. 

o To identify the important rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, rivers (water resources) in the rohe.

o To identify flora and fauna and their cultural, recreational, commercial importance.

o To identify relevant GDC policies, objectives and rules and their mechanisms for protection and managing wahi tapu. 

o To identify significant regional water issues for iwi.

Free electronic copies of the Te Aitanga a Mahaki Environmental Inventory (Version: May 2006) are available by request.

These files are freely available to all visitors to this website and are made available to the public.

Te Aitanga a Mahaki acknowledges the support given by the Maruwhenua Team from the Ministry for the Environment in assisting with the development of the Environmental Inventory.